Musical Director and Band Leaders

Will Watson BMus (Hons), ARAM, LRAM, Musical Director, St Albans City Band
Will began playing the cornet at the age of seven and quickly established himself as one of the country’s leading young brass musicians. During his youth, he was Principal Trumpet of the National Youth Wind Orchestra and Solo Cornet of the highly successful John Laing Hendon Band, winning the London & Southern Counties Regional Championships on several occasions and performing at the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

A significant influence on Will’s musical development was his father, James Watson, one of the most respected figures in the brass world, who enjoyed highly successful tenures as Musical Director of both Desford Colliery Band and Black Dyke Mills Band. Exposure to these world-class ensembles provided Will with an exceptional musical education from an early age.

In 1995, Will gained a place at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music, where he studied trumpet with distinguished performers including Rod Franks, John Wallace and Ian Balmain. Alongside his performance studies, he also studied conducting under Colin Metters.

Following graduation, Will pursued a successful freelance career in London, performing with many of the UK’s leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. His professional playing career culminated in a trial for the position of Principal Trumpet with Birmingham Royal Ballet.

In 2002, Will began to work within the international musical instrument industry, joining Boosey & Hawkes Musical Instruments as European Sales and Marketing Representative. He later became UK Sales and Marketing Manager for Conn-Selmer USA, where he was responsible for the promotion and development of renowned brands including Vincent Bach, Selmer, Conn and Leblanc. Through this work, he developed relationships with many of the world’s leading performers, educators and conductors, experiences that continue to shape his musical outlook today. In 2008 Will established Prozone Music Ltd and later acquired Phil Parker Ltd, two of the country’s leading brass retail stores, businesses he continues to run and develop today.

In recognition of his contribution to the music profession, Will was awarded the prestigious Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM) in 2015, an honour bestowed upon Academy alumni who have made a significant impact within their profession.

Alongside his professional career, Will has remained deeply committed to the brass band movement. Notably, enjoying a highly successful ten-year association with Amersham Band as a player, manager and committee member. Working closely with Musical Director Paul Fisher, he played a role in supporting the band’s development and long-term success. As he takes up the baton at City of St Albans Brass Band, Will brings a wealth of experience from performance, education, business leadership and band management. His vision is to build upon the band’s strong foundations, fostering musical excellence while supporting the continued growth of the organisation for the benefit of its members and the wider community.

Beth Pippen, Community Band and Adult Training Band leader
Beth started her musical journey at the age of six in the West Midlands where she was a member of Sandwell Youth Music, gaining a place at the Royal Northern College of Music where she graduated in 2012. While at the college Beth made her professional debut with the Halle Orchestra and went on to become a busy freelancer working regularly with Manchester Camerata, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic and the orchestra of Opera North. As well as Orchestral performance, Beth was a regular deputy with the areas top bands and particularly enjoyed performing with Fodens and Brighouse and Rastrick. Beth has since worked with most of the UK orchestras including the orchestra of the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, BBC Symphony, City of Birmingham, London Philharmonic, BBC Scottish, Welsh National Opera and the Royal Northern Sinfonia. Beth is also a specialist on doubling instruments and is in regular demand as an alto trombone, Euphonium and Bass Trumpet player. 

Simon Tong, Youth Band Leader
Simon Tong is a freelance trumpet player from London and enjoys a varied career performing baroque and Renaissance music on period instruments through to more contemporary music touring festivals with artists. He has also played as part of the Macau Symphony Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and is currently principal trumpet with Regents Opera. Simon studied at the Royal Academy of Music where he was awarded a full scholarship and went on to complete both his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees under the tuition of James Watson, Rod Franks, Mark David and Robert Farley. During this time, Simon performed solos at the London Handel Festival, toured Hong Kong with the University of London Symphony Orchestra, and played trumpet in a performance of Soldiers tale alongside the LPO’s Foyle Future First programme. After graduating, Simon started an educational fellowship with the Open Academy which started his future work as a teacher and workshop leader. He was awarded a fellowship for Southbank Sinfonia where he performed for the 2011 season, which included performances at the Royal Opera House and London Festival Hall and performing alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra and Vladimir Ashkenazy. Simon is the upper brass tutor for the National Orchestra for all, and for the Camden Youth Brass Band and hopes to continue promoting brass playing in the youth of the area.